Ten Strategies to Make Oakland Better: (1) Start Honest Discussion about Finances
Ten Strategies to Make Oakland Better
Strategy One: Start an Honest Discussion About Oakland’s Financial Condition
Make Oakland Better Now! was established to advocate for public safety, public works, government transparency, accountability and budget Reform. Often, however, we are recognized simply as advocates for increasing the size of the Police Department. While we stand by our position that Oakland desperately needs 925 sworn officers, much more is needed to make Oakland the city its residents want and deserve. Today, we begin a ten part series on steps Oakland can and should take to make this a better, safer and more sustainable city. For our first strategy, we advocate clear statements from City leadership and a definitive, inarguable agreement about Oakland’s financial obligations and how they will be paid.
Here is a challenge for any resident of the City Oakland: Do Oakland’s anticipated expenditures over the next four years exceed its projected revenues? If so, by how much? What is the City going to do about it?